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| UK Covid live: PM says ‘looking good’ for lifting restrictions in England on 19 July - but NHS may face ‘rough winter’ | UK Covid live: PM says ‘looking good’ for lifting restrictions in England on 19 July - but NHS may face ‘rough winter’ |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Latest updates: prime minister warns about pressure on NHS due to flu this winter but says England on course to lift restrictions on 19 July | Latest updates: prime minister warns about pressure on NHS due to flu this winter but says England on course to lift restrictions on 19 July |
| At the Downing Street lobby briefing the prime minister’s spokesman rejected suggestions that the G7 was to blame for a rise in coronavirus cases in Cornwall, particularly around Carbis Bay and other places used by summit visitors. | |
| According to the latest update to the government’s dashboard, cases in Cornwall over the past week are 126.3% up on the previous week. Across the UK as a whole cases are just up 31.1% week on week. | |
| And in the ward including Carbis Bay, cases are running at the rate of 426 per 100,000 people, one of the highest rates in the UK, although that figure covers the seven days to 15 June and only comprises 26 cases. | |
| Andy Virr, Cornwall council’s cabinet member of health, and a doctor, said last week the rise in cases was not related to the G7, but, as Cornwall Live reports, this claim is disputed in the county. | |
| Asked if Downing Street thought the summit was to blame for the rise in cases, the prime minister’s spokesman said no. He told journalists: | |
| Although attendees at the summit were tested, the theory that it contributed to the rise in cases is based on the potential impact of the thousands of people had to be in Cornwall to enable it to take place, not least the 6,500 police officers on duty. | |
| Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser, has started his Q&A on his subscriber-only Substack account. This is what he said in response to a subscriber who asked what it was like being close to power. Cummings said: | Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser, has started his Q&A on his subscriber-only Substack account. This is what he said in response to a subscriber who asked what it was like being close to power. Cummings said: |
| And here are some more lines from Boris Johnson’s interview this morning. | And here are some more lines from Boris Johnson’s interview this morning. |
| Johnson said England is still on course to lift all remaining restrictions on 19 July. He said: | Johnson said England is still on course to lift all remaining restrictions on 19 July. He said: |
| He said that the NHS faced a “rough winter” – and that this was all the more reason to reduce cases now. He said: | He said that the NHS faced a “rough winter” – and that this was all the more reason to reduce cases now. He said: |
| Johnson’s comment about winter reflects what Prof Chris Whitty was saying at the end of last week about a further Covid surge being likely in the autumn or winter. | Johnson’s comment about winter reflects what Prof Chris Whitty was saying at the end of last week about a further Covid surge being likely in the autumn or winter. |
| Johnson said the government was looking at the possibility of cutting the quarantine time for people returning from amber list countries. | Johnson said the government was looking at the possibility of cutting the quarantine time for people returning from amber list countries. |
| He restated his commitment to bringing forward a plan to reform social care “in due course”. In comments suggesting the government is not yet close to announcing a plan, he said: | He restated his commitment to bringing forward a plan to reform social care “in due course”. In comments suggesting the government is not yet close to announcing a plan, he said: |
| Asked if he favoured a £50,000 cap on the amount any person would have to pay in line with the original Dilnot proposals, as has been reported, Johnson refused to say. | Asked if he favoured a £50,000 cap on the amount any person would have to pay in line with the original Dilnot proposals, as has been reported, Johnson refused to say. |
| He played down the prospects of the government breaking its pledge to maintain the triple lock for pensions. Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, is reportedly keen to suspend the triple lock temporarily because it ensures pensions rise every year in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5%, which is higher, and the pandemic recovery means earnings could rise this year by a disproportionately high amount. But asked if the triple lock might be abandoned, Johnson said: | He played down the prospects of the government breaking its pledge to maintain the triple lock for pensions. Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, is reportedly keen to suspend the triple lock temporarily because it ensures pensions rise every year in line with inflation, earnings or 2.5%, which is higher, and the pandemic recovery means earnings could rise this year by a disproportionately high amount. But asked if the triple lock might be abandoned, Johnson said: |
| Boris Johnson has played down the prospects of any significant easing of travel restrictions for people in England wanting a foreign holiday any time soon. | Boris Johnson has played down the prospects of any significant easing of travel restrictions for people in England wanting a foreign holiday any time soon. |
| At the last review of the rules placing countries on the green, amber or red list for travel, Portugal was downgraded, moving from green to amber, meaning that travellers would have to quarantine on their return. The rules are due to be reviewed every three weeks, which suggests an update should be coming on Thursday. | At the last review of the rules placing countries on the green, amber or red list for travel, Portugal was downgraded, moving from green to amber, meaning that travellers would have to quarantine on their return. The rules are due to be reviewed every three weeks, which suggests an update should be coming on Thursday. |
| But, in an interview this morning, Johnson implied there might be little, if any, change. He said: | But, in an interview this morning, Johnson implied there might be little, if any, change. He said: |
| Boris Johnson has been visiting the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) to promote plans announced overnight for a new national science and technology council. The new body will “provide strategic direction on the use of science and technology as the tools to tackle great societal challenges, level up across the country and boost prosperity around the world”, No 10 says. | Boris Johnson has been visiting the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) to promote plans announced overnight for a new national science and technology council. The new body will “provide strategic direction on the use of science and technology as the tools to tackle great societal challenges, level up across the country and boost prosperity around the world”, No 10 says. |
| Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has suggested that Andy Burnham’s public complaints about her government’s ban on travel between Scotland and Manchester were primarily motivated by his desire to boost his prospects of becoming next Labour leader. (See 10.23am.) Responding to what he said, she told BBC: | Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has suggested that Andy Burnham’s public complaints about her government’s ban on travel between Scotland and Manchester were primarily motivated by his desire to boost his prospects of becoming next Labour leader. (See 10.23am.) Responding to what he said, she told BBC: |
| Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, was touring the broadcast studios on behalf of the government this morning, and he played down suggestions that the final coronavirus restrictions for England might be lifted before 19 July. | Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, was touring the broadcast studios on behalf of the government this morning, and he played down suggestions that the final coronavirus restrictions for England might be lifted before 19 July. |
| Today was the day when those restrictions were due to go before Boris Johnson announced a four-week delay last week. Johnson did say there was a chance of this only being a two-week delay, if the data improved significantly, but at the time this sounded more like a rhetorical sop to anti-lockdown Tory MPs than a description of something that might actually happen. | Today was the day when those restrictions were due to go before Boris Johnson announced a four-week delay last week. Johnson did say there was a chance of this only being a two-week delay, if the data improved significantly, but at the time this sounded more like a rhetorical sop to anti-lockdown Tory MPs than a description of something that might actually happen. |
| This morning Kwarteng said it was “unlikely” that remaining restrictions might be lifted before 19 July. Asked about the timetable, he said: | This morning Kwarteng said it was “unlikely” that remaining restrictions might be lifted before 19 July. Asked about the timetable, he said: |
| Flu could be a bigger problem than Covid-19 in the UK this winter, a senior government vaccine adviser has said, with low prevalence over the past months possibly leading to a drop in immunity among the population. My colleague Damien Gayle has the story. | Flu could be a bigger problem than Covid-19 in the UK this winter, a senior government vaccine adviser has said, with low prevalence over the past months possibly leading to a drop in immunity among the population. My colleague Damien Gayle has the story. |
| Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals and other NHS trusts, told Times Radio this morning that although Covid hospital numbers are slowly going up, he is still confident that vaccines have broken the transmission link between infections and hospital cases. He said: | Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents hospitals and other NHS trusts, told Times Radio this morning that although Covid hospital numbers are slowly going up, he is still confident that vaccines have broken the transmission link between infections and hospital cases. He said: |
| A “do or die” meeting on social care involving Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Matt Hancock has been postponed, it is understood, as the government came under renewed pressure over delays in setting out a policy for the sector. My colleague Peter Walker has the story here. | A “do or die” meeting on social care involving Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak and Matt Hancock has been postponed, it is understood, as the government came under renewed pressure over delays in setting out a policy for the sector. My colleague Peter Walker has the story here. |
| As Jessica Murray reports, Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has accused the Scottish government of “hypocrisy” after it announced a travel ban to parts of the north-west. | As Jessica Murray reports, Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has accused the Scottish government of “hypocrisy” after it announced a travel ban to parts of the north-west. |
| John Swinney, Scotland’s deputy first minister, defended the decision on the Today programme. He said: | John Swinney, Scotland’s deputy first minister, defended the decision on the Today programme. He said: |
| Asked about Burnham’s complaint that Manchester was not even consulted about the decision, Swinney replied: | Asked about Burnham’s complaint that Manchester was not even consulted about the decision, Swinney replied: |
| Matt Hancock’s interview with BBC Breakfast this morning covered quite a lot of ground. I’ve posted his comment about the “hopeless” text already (see 9.21am), and here are other lines from what he said. | Matt Hancock’s interview with BBC Breakfast this morning covered quite a lot of ground. I’ve posted his comment about the “hopeless” text already (see 9.21am), and here are other lines from what he said. |
| Hancock confirmed that he does want to replace self-isolation for people who have been in contact with someone testing positive with regular testing. The government was piloting this, he said, and he was taking clinical advice. He went on: | Hancock confirmed that he does want to replace self-isolation for people who have been in contact with someone testing positive with regular testing. The government was piloting this, he said, and he was taking clinical advice. He went on: |
| Hancock also stressed that regular testing would not replace self-isolation for people who have tested positive themselves. | Hancock also stressed that regular testing would not replace self-isolation for people who have tested positive themselves. |
| He said that he would set out plans for his autumn vaccine booster programme in the next few weeks. Clinicians were still looking at what combinations would be most effective, he said. For example, people who have had two doses of AstraZeneca could be given a Pfizer vaccine as a booster. | He said that he would set out plans for his autumn vaccine booster programme in the next few weeks. Clinicians were still looking at what combinations would be most effective, he said. For example, people who have had two doses of AstraZeneca could be given a Pfizer vaccine as a booster. |
| He rejected suggestions that it would take at least five years to deal with the backlog for NHS operations that built up during the pandemic. When it was put to him that a consultant had to told the programme it would take five years, or maybe 10 years, to clear this backlog, Hancock replied: “I think we can sort it faster than that.” The government has already put an extra £1bn into the NHS to address the problem, he said. He went on: | He rejected suggestions that it would take at least five years to deal with the backlog for NHS operations that built up during the pandemic. When it was put to him that a consultant had to told the programme it would take five years, or maybe 10 years, to clear this backlog, Hancock replied: “I think we can sort it faster than that.” The government has already put an extra £1bn into the NHS to address the problem, he said. He went on: |
| He confirmed that the government would publish a plan to reform social care before the end of the year. But he refused to comment on reports that an important ministerial meeting on the topic has been scheduled for this week. The meeting was reportedly due to take place tomorrow, but No 10 is now denying that. When asked about this, Hancock just said he had meetings with the PM all the time. | He confirmed that the government would publish a plan to reform social care before the end of the year. But he refused to comment on reports that an important ministerial meeting on the topic has been scheduled for this week. The meeting was reportedly due to take place tomorrow, but No 10 is now denying that. When asked about this, Hancock just said he had meetings with the PM all the time. |
| Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, says she has now had her second jab. | Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, says she has now had her second jab. |
| Good morning. Matt Hancock, the health secretary, gave a long interview on a BBC Breakfast this morning and in it he gave his most considered response so far to the revelation last week that Boris Johnson called him “totally fucking hopeless” in a text to Dominic Cummings in March last year. Hancock put it down to the PM being stressed at the time. Asked how it felt to be described as “hopeless”, Hancock said: | Good morning. Matt Hancock, the health secretary, gave a long interview on a BBC Breakfast this morning and in it he gave his most considered response so far to the revelation last week that Boris Johnson called him “totally fucking hopeless” in a text to Dominic Cummings in March last year. Hancock put it down to the PM being stressed at the time. Asked how it felt to be described as “hopeless”, Hancock said: |
| When the presenter, Dan Walker, said that he had also once been described as being “hopeless” at a job (not presenting, but making cardboard boxes, when he was young), and that the revelation must have been embarrassing, Hancock replied: | When the presenter, Dan Walker, said that he had also once been described as being “hopeless” at a job (not presenting, but making cardboard boxes, when he was young), and that the revelation must have been embarrassing, Hancock replied: |
| Hancock also refused to say whether he had Johnson had spoken about the text since it was revealed last week. | Hancock also refused to say whether he had Johnson had spoken about the text since it was revealed last week. |
| I will post more from the interview soon. | I will post more from the interview soon. |
| Here is the agenda for the day. | Here is the agenda for the day. |
| 12pm: Downing Street is expected to hold its daily press conference. | 12pm: Downing Street is expected to hold its daily press conference. |
| 12.30pm: Eluned Morgan, the Welsh government’s health minister, and Dr Chris Jones, deputy chief medical officer for Wales, are holding a press conference. | 12.30pm: Eluned Morgan, the Welsh government’s health minister, and Dr Chris Jones, deputy chief medical officer for Wales, are holding a press conference. |
| 2pm: Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser, holds a Q&A on his Substack subscribers. | 2pm: Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser, holds a Q&A on his Substack subscribers. |
| 2.30pm: Sir Mark Worthington, the independent construction commissioner for HS2, and Sir John Armitt, chair of the national infrastructure commission, give evidence to the Commons public accounts committee on HS2. | 2.30pm: Sir Mark Worthington, the independent construction commissioner for HS2, and Sir John Armitt, chair of the national infrastructure commission, give evidence to the Commons public accounts committee on HS2. |
| After 3.30pm: MPs will debate a Labour motion on planning, saying the government should “protect the right of communities to object to individual planning applications”. | After 3.30pm: MPs will debate a Labour motion on planning, saying the government should “protect the right of communities to object to individual planning applications”. |
| Johnson is also doing a visit today, where he is expected to record a broadcast interview. | Johnson is also doing a visit today, where he is expected to record a broadcast interview. |
| Politics Live has been a mix of Covid and non-Covid news recently and that is likely to be the case today. For more coronavirus developments, do follow our global Covid live blog. | Politics Live has been a mix of Covid and non-Covid news recently and that is likely to be the case today. For more coronavirus developments, do follow our global Covid live blog. |
| I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. | I try to monitor the comments below the line (BTL) but it is impossible to read them all. If you have a direct question, do include “Andrew” in it somewhere and I’m more likely to find it. I do try to answer questions, and if they are of general interest, I will post the question and reply above the line (ATL), although I can’t promise to do this for everyone. |
| If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. I’m on @AndrewSparrow. | If you want to attract my attention quickly, it is probably better to use Twitter. I’m on @AndrewSparrow. |
| Alternatively, you can email me at andrew.sparrow@theguardian.com | Alternatively, you can email me at andrew.sparrow@theguardian.com |